Tertiary Student Finance Scheme - Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS)

1. Hostel Subsidy for Eligible Undergraduate Students

2. Additional Academic Expenses Grant for Students with Special Educational Needs

3. Working Family Allowance Scheme (WFA)

4. Expediting the processing of applications from post-secondary students whose families are in receipt of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA)

Please visit the government's webpage.

For details of the TSFS, please visit Student Finance Office (SFO)'s homepage at www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/postsecondary/tsfs/overview.htm.

SFO YouTube Channel for introduction of TSFS

For enquiries (e.g. check progress of your application), you may wish to contact the government SFO:

Address : TSFS Application Processing Unit, 11/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon (near Exit C1 of Shamshuipo MTR station)

Office hours : Please refer to SFO’s updated service arrangements posted on its webpage

24-hour automated enquiry hotline : 2802 2345

TSFS enquiry number during office hours : 2152 9000

TSFS fax number : 2519 8512

E-mail address : wg_sfo@wfsfaa.gov.hk

Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be eligible for a grant and/or loan ranged from 0% to 100% of the maximum grant/loan.

The maximum grant for PolyU students is derived from the tuition fee and academic expenses. It thus varies according to the course of studies pursued. On the other hand, the maximum loan is the same for all students and is intended to help towards students' living expenses.

As to what percentage of the maximum grant/loan an applicant may obtain, it is calculated according to a two-tier means-testing mechanism.

In the first tier (i.e. the income test), an Adjusted Family Income (AFI) is derived for the applicant by the following formula:

AFI

=

Gross annual income of the family

------------------------------------------------------

Number of family members + 1

(For single-parent families of 2 to 3 members, the "plus 1 factor" will be increased to 2)

The AFI will then be applied to a Ready Reckoner that sets out the percentage of the maximum amount of grant/loan in relation to each AFI group.

The amount of grant/loan derived from the income test will then be subject to the second tier asset test (i.e. the asset test), which involves an adjustment in accordance with the Asset Sliding Scale.

If you wish to obtain a rough estimate of the amount of assistance that you may receive, you may use the "Financial Calculator" on the "SFO E-link" for reference.

For PolyU students, the level of grant and loan is calculated depending on the family's financial circumstances of the student's family (basically it is subject to student's Adjusted Family Income (AFI) and family asset level), the tuition fees payable and the discipline the student is studying. You may refer to the Maximum Grant and Loan Levels for PolyU students in 2024/25 for reference.

For details of "Level of Financial Assistance" grouped under the TSFS result, please refer to SFO's webpage.

All the full-time government-funded PolyU programmes covered under the TSFS 2024/25 are stated on the Course Coding Sheet. You should check your course information stated on it for completion of Step 3, Course Information, of the application form.

If you want to have an idea about financial assistance schemes applicable to you, you are welcome to join one of the following briefing sessions on financial assistance schemes conducted by PolyU Student Affairs Office (SAO).

POSS Programme Code	Venue	Date / Time	Enrollment
SS-SF-SAO-SSA-U1-A	PolyU Room PQ306 Language: Cantonese¹	27 Aug 2024 (Tue)²/ 2.30 pm - 5 pm
SS-SF-SAO-SSA-U1-B	PolyU Room PQ306 Language: Cantonese¹	30 Aug 2024 (Fri)²/ 10.30 am - 1 pm
SS-SF-SAO-SSA-U1-C	PolyU Communal Building S208 Language: Cantonese¹	4 Sept 2024 (Wed)²/ 2.30 pm - 5 pm

¹ If you want to get information about financial assistance in English, you may send an email with your contact information to sao.fa@polyu.edu.hk for arrangement.

²When the Hong Kong Observatory announces that the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.8 or above/Black Rainstorm Warning/"Extreme Condition" is likely to be hoisted/issued OR when the Signal/Warning is still hoisted/issued within 2 hours from the commencement of the briefing session, the briefing session will be cancelled.

Enrollment:

Please register to reserve a seat via the PolyU Online Student Services (POSS). For enquiry, please call 3400 3764.

From 18 Apr 2024 to 31 Dec 2024, eligible applicants can submit electronic application for the 2024/25 “Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS)” via the online platform “SFO E-link – My Applications” (ess.wfsfaa.gov.hk). The incomplete application forms will be removed and no online applications for the TSFS can be made after 31 Dec 2024. If you wish to apply for the TSFS, you should complete and submit your application as soon as possible.
- How to Apply
- Application Procedures
- TSFS Online demonstration and related documents can be found on this platform.
- The following important documents related to TSFS can be downloaded from the SFO webpage: www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/en/postsecondary/tsfs/application/forms.htm.
(1) "Guidance Notes" (TSFS/1B(2024)) / "申請指引" (TSFS/1A(2024))

(2) "Quick Reference for Completing Application Forms" / "填寫申請書參考指南"

(3) "Illustration of Reporting Income & Assets" (TSFS/FASP/2B(2024)) / "填報家庭收入及資產範例" (TSFS/FASP/2A(2024))

(4) "The Checklist on Documentary Proofs Required" / "證明文件清單" (TSFS/RM(2024))

(5) "Provision of Complete Information and Supporting Documents" / "申報完整資料和提交完備證明文件"

(6) "Common Mistakes in Completing Application Forms" / "填寫申請書時常見的錯誤''
Once the online application is submitted, no online amendments will be allowed. All subsequent amendments should be made in writing to the SFO.
After submitting online application form, you must submit the signed Declaration (in writing or signed by "iAM Smart+") with copies of supporting documents (e.g. copies of income proof and bank accounts showing all transactions in the last financial year) within 7 days from submission of application.

(1) For local full-time government-funded students of taught programmes

The official deadline is over, however, you can consider submitting late application.

Late submission after the official deadline

"SFO E-link - My applications" (ess.wfsfaa.gov.hk) platform is open for online application until 31 Dec 2024. The incomplete application forms will be removed and no online applications for the TSFS can be made after the said date. If you wish to apply for the TSFS, you should complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

(2) For local full-time government-funded research students

Starting from 2018/19 academic year, the Government has provided tuition waiver for all local students enrolled in UGC-funded Research Postgraduate (RPg) programmes (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/tws.html). All local students enrolled in UGC-funded RPg programmes are provided with tuition waiver. Therefore, please note that eligible students who pass the means-test under TSFS will only be offered the academic expense grant and living expense loan, if any.

The official deadline is over, however, you can consider submitting late application.

Late submission after the official deadline

"SFO E-link - My applications" (ess.wfsfaa.gov.hk) platform is open for online application until 31 Dec 2024. The incomplete application forms will be removed and no online applications for the TSFS can be made after the said date. If you wish to apply for the TSFS, you should complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

After submitting online application form, you must submit the signed Declaration (in writing or signed by "iAM Smart+") with copies of supporting documents (e.g. copies of income proof and bank accounts showing all transactions in the last financial year) within 7 days from submission of application by one of the following methods:

1.	online upload via “SFO E-link – My Applications” - ess.wfsfaa.gov.hk (File in PDF or JPEG format, max capacity 40 MB - about 100 pages of A4 paper in black and white. If you have more than 100 pages of documents, instead of uploading the documents partially, you are encouraged to adopt other means to submit the documents in one go.); or
2.	by mail or through SFO’s drop-in boxes. Address: 12/F., One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon. Attn: Applications Team (TSFS), SFO * Attention: Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by SFO. If supplementary information is submitted by post, please ensure sufficient postage is paid and a return address is provided on the back of the envelope. Otherwise the mail may not be delivered to SFO; or
3.	through government SFO drop-in box at PolyU SAO (Room QT308, 3/F, Core T) between 11 Sept and 17 Oct 2024 (Collection time: Mon - Fri: 9 am to 12.30 pm & 2 pm to 5.45 pm; except public holidays).

Please click here (Eng / Chi) for details for 2024/25

Please visit the SFO webpage for details.

1.	In case there is / are supporting document(s) not yet available, you must fully state in Step 12 “Additional Information”. Once the said document(s) is / are available, you must take the initiative to submit it / them immediately to the SFO by fax / mail / in person.
2.	Before submitting the application form, applicants should carefully check that the information inputted on the form, including the course data, their personal information and those of their family members, and the family income and assets is true and complete. Attention: Once the online application form is submitted, no online amendments will be allowed. All subsequent amendments should be made in writing to the SFO.
3.	Please note that at the time of submitting application, if you fail to report / attach the required information / supporting documents in / to your application, and the information / supporting document is only reported / provided upon SFO’s enquiry, this would be treated as a misrepresentation and / or omission in your application. Any misrepresentation or omission may lead to rejection of your application(s) and / or full recovery of financial assistance already offered. You and your family members may also be prosecuted.
4.	Reference: (1) "Guidance Notes" (TSFS/1B(2024)) / "申請指引" (TSFS/1A(2024)) (2) "Quick Reference for Completing Application Forms" / "填寫申請書參考指南" (3) "Illustration of Reporting Income & Assets" (TSFS/FASP/2B(2024)) / "填報家庭收入及資產範例" (TSFS/FASP/2A(2024)) (4) "The Checklist on Documentary Proofs Required" / "證明文件清單" (TSFS/RM(2024)) (5) "Provision of Complete Information and Supporting Documents" / "申報完整資料和提交完備證明文件" (6) "Common Mistakes in Completing Application Forms" / "填寫申請書時常見的錯誤''

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers